Bat House Basics: Eco-Friendly Mosquito Control

The Backyard Naturalists

Welcome to another informative episode of The Backyard Naturalists, the award-winning podcast heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas. We're proud to have won the Best of the Weeklies podcast award from the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly!

In this episode, we explore an environmentally friendly way to control mosquitoes: bats! Our hosts delve into the benefits of attracting bats to your yard, such as natural mosquito control and pollination, and provide expert tips on building and installing bat houses.

Key Points:

· Bats are fantastic for controlling mosquitoes—one brown bat can eat over 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night!

· Bats also aid in pollination, benefiting your garden.

· Optimal bat house design features a 4-chamber structure.

· Ensure bat houses receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

· Mount bat houses 10-20 feet off the ground and 20-30 feet away from trees to avoid predators.

· Use buildings or poles for mounting, not trees.

· Paint the interior dark (brown or dark gray) but avoid oil-based paints. Exterior color should match your climate's July temperatures.

· Install bat houses by late winter before the breeding season. Caulk the sides to prevent drafts.

· Use rot-resistant wood like cedar, black locust, white oak, or reclaimed barn wood for durability.

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JJoin us as we guide you through creating a welcoming habitat for these beneficial creatures and transform your yard into a mosquito-free zone!

We love hearing from our listeners! Drop us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know where you're tuning in from and what you enjoy most about the show. Happy listening and happy bat-watching!

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Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [e-mail].

While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning.